The Miami Dolphins will host their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, in their 2024 Week 2 Thursday Night Football showdown. However, while the Dolphins will enjoy home-field advantage against the four-time defending AFC East champions, the Bills have had their number since 2018.
Fox Sports NFL pointed out that the Bills have defeated the Dolphins in 11 of their last 12 games. Miami’s only win came in a 21-19 nailbiter on September 25, 2022. Throughout that stretch, Buffalo won in double digits seven times, including a 35-0 shutout on September 19, 2021.
In their last faceoff, the Bills earned a 21-14 decision, giving them the division title and the second seed in the 2023 AFC Playoffs. Both teams’ postseason runs ended in the hands of the eventual Super Bowl LVIII champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Miami lost in the Wild Card Round, while Buffalo suffered the same fate in the Divisional Round.
Can the Dolphins finally overcome the Bills in Week 2? pic.twitter.com/arIg5scOZX
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 10, 2024
If the Dolphins are to stop the Bills’ dominance, they must contain quarterback Josh Allen, who threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another two in their season-opening win over the Arizona Cardinals. Covers.com content strategist Joe Osborne pointed out that Allen had 359, 320, 352, 304, and 400 passing yards in his last five games against the Dolphins.
However, Buffalo’s offensive landscape has changed this offseason, as Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are already with other teams. Young wideouts Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman are taking their place. Therefore, the Dolphins must take advantage of this transition period so that the Bills can end their four-game losing streak against them.
Miami will be in good hands if they can maintain their impressive Week 1 performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tua Tagovailoa had 338 passing yards and a touchdown, while Tyreek Hill had 130 receiving yards and a score. Jaylen Waddle added 109 receiving yards, while De’Von Achane completed a rushing touchdown.
-Lance Fernandez